Her guards

Chapter 38 Inside and Outside the Examination Hall
The emperor entrusted the selection of a study companion for the princess to Wang Zaitian, the chief scholar of the Imperial Academy.

Wang Zaitian, of course, wouldn't personally get involved; he left it to his two disciples.

Of course, they wouldn't object if Ling Yu wanted to get involved.

However, since it involved the princess, the nobles in the palace had been sending messages to her privately.

"Third senior brother, here are some lists that were given by the palace," said the fifth disciple.

There's no need to hide this from others. Although they're called study companions, they're really just playmates. Girls' playmates can't be judged solely on academic ability, so the princesses' mothers naturally had to screen them.

Ling Yu simply said "oh," and the boy, upon hearing this, did not show any fear or trepidation. He still reached out and took the test paper, but instead of looking at each page one by one, he flipped through it and took one out.

"It's alright, isn't it?" he asked Ling Yu.

Ling Yu glanced at it from the side and smiled.

The boy clicked his tongue: "Don't be so harsh." He examined the paper in his hand. "It's better than it was a few days ago. You're improving every day, that's good."

Ling Yu smiled: "You're right."

After saying this, he handed the remaining scrolls in his hand to his two disciples.

"You see."

The two disciples were somewhat puzzled, but then they understood. It seemed that someone had given Ling Yu instructions in private.

After all, this is a tremendous opportunity for the families participating in the election, as it is crucial not only for their daughters' future but also for the future of their entire family and clan.

Ling Yu is the third disciple of the Imperial Academy Master, so it's normal to ask him for favors.

I wonder which school this is? They didn't see the name on the exam paper. To be able to get Ling Yu to put down this bookworm, they must be no ordinary person.

You should know that sometimes even the chief priest can't order him around.

Having understood the situation, the two disciples said no more and examined the examination paper.

Ling Yu picked up the exam paper from the side and handed it to Mo Zheng. This time, there was no need for a conversation. Mo Zheng took it and searched through it. Since it was not a formal exam, the names were not covered up and were written at the top. Mo Zheng quickly found Yang Luo's exam paper.

"How is it?" Ling Yu asked this time, turning slightly to look at him.

But this time Mo Zheng didn't give a conclusion, and instead slung the test paper behind her back, saying, "I'll take another look at it slowly." After saying that, she handed the rest of the test paper to Ling Yu.

Ling Yu smiled and didn't ask any more questions. She watched as Mo Zheng walked to the table and sat down.

Mo Zheng examined the exam paper.

It's no use trying to explain the meaning of scriptures by studying hard for a few days.

Although this examination doesn't actually require everyone to have outstanding knowledge, that's precisely why. Moreover, the two disciples have already stated frankly that there is a list provided by the palace, so no one can give such instructions. Only those with outstanding knowledge have a chance to compete.

The young lady's words implied that she was a prophet who would die if she came to the capital, so passing the exam to become the princess's companion was probably her way out.

Mo Zheng put down Yang Luo's answer sheet, took out another sheet of paper, spread it out, ground the ink, picked up the brush, and began to write after a moment's thought.

The two disciples over there were focused on reading the papers, and Ling Yu's gaze returned to the book, but she would occasionally look up and see the young man sitting at the table, writing intently.

……

……

A soft "ding" sounded.

The arrow in Yang Luo's hand landed steadily in the pot.

At this time, there were seven arrows in the pot.

As Yang Luo's arrow struck the pot, cheers erupted from all around.

Qin Ying's voice was the loudest: "Miss Liu, you got it all right!" She winked at Yang Hui beside her as she spoke.

Yang Hui only managed to score five points.

Yang Hui said unhappily, "It's just luck." Then she stroked her hands, "These are the hands I use to practice the piano."

Qin Ying immediately asked, "Miss Liu, can you play the piano?"

Yang Luo nodded.

Yang Hui was about to say something when someone else called to her.

"Yang Hui, Princess Heicheng is asking you..."

Upon hearing this, the surroundings fell silent, and everyone looked in the direction of the voice. Princess Heisei sat above, accompanied by two women, and was looking in their direction.

Earlier, the palace maids said that they could rest and have fun, and the other three princesses immediately left to rest. Only Princess Heisei stayed here and talked with the ladies she knew.

Yang Hui wasn't actually familiar with them, but upon hearing this, she was overjoyed. She glanced at Yang Luo and Qin Ying with a hint of smugness, then straightened her back and strode quickly towards Princess Heicheng. Upon reaching the princess, Yang Hui bowed respectfully.

"Yang Hui greets Your Highness."

Princess Heicheng nodded: "No need for formalities." Looking at Yang Hui who had stood up, she said, "I've met Miss Ding'an at the palace banquet before, but we haven't spoken."

Yang Hui was even more delighted: "The princess actually remembers me. Yes, my father and mother and I went to the palace to pay our respects to His Majesty. His Majesty gave my father and mother wine and had someone give me a handful of delicious fruit candies."

The two women standing next to the princess exchanged a glance, showing some disdain. They even remembered a handful of fruit candies, which shows that they rarely had the opportunity to enter the palace.

However, since Princess Heisei took the initiative to speak to her, it was clear that she deserved to be looked at with respect. The two of them hid their disdain and looked at Yang Hui with intimate smiles.

Princess Heisei said, "It's pear juice candy, which is also one of Father Emperor's favorites."

During the conversation, the clear sound of a zither filled the room.

People over there looked over and saw a woman sitting in front of a guqin playing.

Yang Hui pursed her lips. That country bumpkin from Fuzhou really went to play the piano.

The playing was not bad, but so what?

Do you really think that a princess's study companion is chosen based on skills and knowledge?
It depends on one's background.

Yang Hui turned to look at Princess Heping and saw that Princess Heping had already gone to talk to the woman beside her and did not even glance at the person playing the zither.

For a royal princess, everything around her from the moment she opens her eyes after birth is the best, making it extremely difficult to attract her attention.

Yang Luo wasn't trying to attract the princess's attention.

She just wanted to demonstrate the skills she had learned.

As the piece ended, a voice came from behind: "This person has been practicing this instrument for at least five or six years and has already achieved some success."

Yang Luo turned her head and saw that Jiang Rui had come over at some point.

Qin Ying exclaimed, "Is she right?"

Yang Luo's expression was slightly complicated. He nodded and said, "Yes, I have been practicing for almost five years."

Qin Ying praised Jiang Rui again: "Sister Jiang's zither skills are truly amazing; she can even tell when someone started learning the zither." She then chuckled, "I heard that the young master of the Marquis of Yongwu is also very good at the zither? He can even tell when Sister Jiang played a wrong note?"

A faint smile appeared on Jiang Rui's indifferent face: "His piano skills are a little better than mine."

A woman nearby laughed and said, "That's because he cares about Miss Jiang. If others play the wrong notes, the Marquis of Yongwu won't care, let alone give them any pointers."

Yang Luo lowered her gaze and looked at the strings of the zither.

Why did others ignore her and offer no guidance? Zhu Yunxiao gave her pointers on playing the zither on his first visit to the Duke of Ding'an's residence.

Is this caring? No, it's scheming!

Yang Luo got up and walked away.

Jiang Rui and the others were caught off guard and looked astonished.

Did we disturb her?

"What, you don't like having your piano skills commented on?"

"They've got quite the airs."

The girls complained.

Jiang Rui looked somewhat embarrassed. She had come specifically to curry favor, since this young lady had previously shown great respect for her father and the Jiang family.

It seems I was overthinking it.

……

.......
“Oh, Miss Jiang is definitely worth befriending,” Qin Ying whispered as she followed behind. “Except for Yang Hui, everyone else is worth befriending.”

Yang Luo turned to look at her.

“Yang Hui is a muddle-headed person. If you treat her well, she will look down on you; if you treat her badly, she will hold a grudge against you. There’s no benefit in associating with her; it will only make you angry,” Qin Ying explained to her. “But Miss Jiang is a very nice person.”

Yang Luo smiled and said, "No need." Looking at Qin Ying, she added, "I'm different from you. I'm not here to make friends with other people."

After saying that, he looked at the front of the hall, where Princess Heisei was surrounded by several people.

The princess wore a smile, but her haughty demeanor was like that of a goddess, untouchable.

Qin Ying's eyes widened. She had misjudged the situation. This young lady from Fuzhou was arrogant and only had eyes for the princess, looking down on everyone else.

(End of this chapter)